The man nicknamed Hong Kong’s “Father of Democracy” said Friday that Beijing is trying to take control of the semi-autonomous city with an impending national security law, but added that violent protest is not the answer, the AP’s Zen Soo writes:
The national security law, which could be approved in Beijing this weekend, is aimed at curbing secessionist, subversive, terrorist and foreign interference that Beijing says fueled the months-long anti-government protests in Hong Kong. The law would be enacted by the central government, bypassing the city’s legislature.
“This is clearly a pretext for Beijing to assert comprehensive control over Hong Kong, as they said they would six years ago,” longtime activist and former lawmaker Martin Lee said in an interview. “The end of Hong Kong as we know it, as an international city, as a free port and with all our freedoms protected by our independent court — this could well disappear.”
On June 30 at 10:30 a.m. ET the AFL-CIO will honor the Civil Human Rights Front of Hong Kong for its inspiring efforts to organize a powerful movement for democracy and human rights. (HT: National Endowment for Democracy core partner Solidarity Center). RSVP
